Development and Validation of an Automated ... - wise-rtd.info

Layman Report . Objective of the project
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defective shells. In Florida alligators showed damages of the genitals after a DDTaccident.
No direct danger for the humans could be detected so far, however several
phenomena are being attributed to the effects of endocrine active substances.
A widespread hypothesis by Skakkebeak and Sharpe indicates that the quality
decrease of spermatozoa of the western males is caused by the influence of
endocrine disrupters. Additionally an increased risk of breast cancer for females is
known for the artificially produced 17β-Estradiol.
A direct effect on humans, e.g. by drinking water that demonstrably contains
endocrine substances, could not be determinded so far, but the current research
assumes an endangering of adolescent children and embryos.
The biggest endangering of humans by endocrine active substances is the fact that
these substances imitate human hormones.
With specific hormones the production of organs in the embryo can be controlled.
Therefore the presence of an effective hormone in the body at a not intended point of
time may cause badly damages of the organs.
The most important industrial chemicals containing endocrine active substances are
17α-Ethinylestradiol, Bisphenol A, Nonylphenol and Phthalates.
Between the endocrine disrupters, the so-called birth control pill hormon 17α-
Ethinylestradiol is considered as being especially active (below 0,1 ng/L). It can be
found in sewage water due to human excrements and the disposal of pharmaceutical
products into sewer systems.
Bisphenol A is employed in the production of plasticisers, resins, lacquers,
colourings, pesticides and antioxidants. By the elutriation of material the substance
gets into the environment.
Nonylphenol often occurs as a tenside in industrial cleaners. Although these are
voluntarily not used anymore by the industry since 1992, Nonylphenols are still a
component of import products as adhesives as well rubber and caoutchouc products.
Phthalates are plasticisers employed in the production of PVC and other synthetics
that can be elutriated and reach the sewage water where they can develop a strong
toxicity for aquatic creatures.
The examples for endocine active substancec can be continued and the number of
toxic substances is increasing. A current list of endocrine disrupters was introduced
quo data GmbH 10.11.2005